A molten metal pump having a base member defining a pumping chamber is provided. The pumping chamber includes an opening in each of a top surface and a bottom surface of the base member. An impeller is disposed in the pumping chamber and is configured to draw molten metal through the opening in the bottom surface and expel the molten metal through an outlet in the base member. A flow diverter is disposed above the opening in the top surface.

The invention relates to a use of a refractory material for contact with a liquid metal or alloy, a method for the manufacture of an article made of said material, the article so obtained and a method of use of said article. The refractory material is obtained from a mixture comprising from 0 wt. % to 40 wt. % of aggregates and/or fmes of zirconia; from 10 wt. % to 50 wt. % of aggregates and/or fmes of alumina; and from 20 wt. % to 50 wt. % of aggregates and/or fines of mullite; formed into a desired shape and then subjected to a heating treatment at a temperature of from 750 C. to 1500 C.

The invention relates to a use of a refractory material for contact with a liquid metal or alloy, a method for the manufacture of an article made of said material, the article so obtained and a method of use of said article. The refractory material is obtained from a mixture comprising from 0 wt. % to 40 wt. % of aggregates and/or fmes of zirconia; from 10 wt. % to 50 wt. % of aggregates and/or fmes of alumina; and from 20 wt. % to 50 wt. % of aggregates and/or fines of mullite; formed into a desired shape and then subjected to a heating treatment at a temperature of from 750 C. to 1500 C.

A method of driving conductive molten metal and a melting furnace, the method including making direct current flow vertically between a first electrode, and applying a magnetic field radially toward the center of a melting chamber from the outside of the melting furnace or toward the outside of the melting furnace from the center of the melting chamber to apply torque. The method further includes rotating the molten metal by the torque to discharge the molten metal to a holding furnace, which is provided on the melting chamber, from an outlet opening of a partition plate provided between the melting chamber and the holding furnace and to suck the molten metal, which is present in the holding furnace, from an inlet opening of the partition plate.

A method of driving conductive molten metal and a melting furnace, the method including making direct current flow vertically between a first electrode, and applying a magnetic field radially toward the center of a melting chamber from the outside of the melting furnace or toward the outside of the melting furnace from the center of the melting chamber to apply torque. The method further includes rotating the molten metal by the torque to discharge the molten metal to a holding furnace, which is provided on the melting chamber, from an outlet opening of a partition plate provided between the melting chamber and the holding furnace and to suck the molten metal, which is present in the holding furnace, from an inlet opening of the partition plate.

[Problem] There are provided an efficient molten metal stirring device and an efficient molten metal transfer device.

[Solution] There are provided an efficient molten metal stirring device and an efficient molten metal transfer device, which device is adapted to stir or transfer molten metal by a resultant driving force of a first electromagnetic force and a second electromagnetic force according to Fleming's rule. The first electromagnetic force is caused by eddy currents generated in the molten metal using magnetic lines of force generated from a rotating permanent magnet, and the second electromagnetic force according to Fleming's rule is generated by the intersection between the magnetic lines of force and a current that flows between a pair of electrodes provided in advance.

A pour tube for casting molten metal is adapted to reduce turbulence and mold disturbances, thereby producing a more stable, uniform outflow. The pour tube has a central longitudinal axis and includes a bore in communication with a port distributor having a greater radius with respect to the longitudinal axis than does the bore. Exit ports provide fluid communication between the port distributor and the exterior of the device. Each of a pair of larger exit ports has a larger cross-sectional area than does either of a pair of smaller exit ports.

A system and method for manipulating or heating conductive material. The system comprises: a first electromagnet; a second electromagnet; the first electromagnet and the second electromagnet each comprising: a body; a first pole, the first pole proximal to a working surface; a second pole, the second pole distal to a working surface; a coil at least partially disposed around the body; a modulating controller configured to selectively apply a current to the first or the second electromagnet; the current configured to produce a time-varying flux density at the first pole; and a working volume in communication with the first pole. Manipulation of the material may be contactless and may include, but is not limited to, rotating, levitating, moving, and/or shaping the conductive material.

A curvilinear metal transfer device with support and compression assemblies that help maintain a constant force on the transfer device's metal outer casing and refractory as the outer casing and refractory expand and contract due to temperature fluctuations. In one embodiment, the support assemblies are configured to apply force to the refractory to keep the refractory in tension with the outer casing to suspend the refractory relative the outer casing. Also disclosed are clamp plates that help hold the refractory in place, and nested lids that cover the curvilinear metal transfer device.

A curvilinear metal transfer device with support and compression assemblies that help maintain a constant force on the transfer device's metal outer casing and refractory as the outer casing and refractory expand and contract due to temperature fluctuations. In one embodiment, the support assemblies are configured to apply force to the refractory to keep the refractory in tension with the outer casing to suspend the refractory relative the outer casing. Also disclosed are clamp plates that help hold the refractory in place, and nested lids that cover the curvilinear metal transfer device.